By Sean Radican, Torch columnist

RADICAN’S “G1 CLIMAX 25: NIGHT 8” BLOG
AUG. 1, 2015
OSAKA, JAPAN
AIRED LIVE ON NJPWWORLD.COM

I’m not watching the tag matches on the undercard this year, but I will include the results. If anything noteworthy happens in a particular tag match, I will watch it.

Update: This show has full cameras and commentary on NJPW World. Nakamura is also back for this event. If you’re wondering why some nights don’t have commentary, it’s because of Samurai TV’s new streaming service.

UNDERCARD RESULTS

(1) Bullet Club (Doc Gallows & Cody Hall) beat David Finlay, Jr. & Jay White.

(2) Mascara Dorada & Kota Ibushi & Naito beat Makabe & Tenzan & Yohei Komatsu in a six-man tag match.

(3) Bullet Club (A.J. Styles & Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga) beat Shibata & Tiger Mask IV & Captain New Japan in a six-man tag match.

(4) IWGP Jr. Hvt. champion KUSHIDA & Tanahashi & Ryusuke Taguchi beat Toru Yano & YOSHI-HASHI & Gedo in a six-man tag match.

G1 CLIMAX 25: NIGHT 7 B BLOCK RESULTS & ANALYSIS

(5) Yujiro Takahashi (2) vs. Satoshi Kojima (2) in a G1 Climax Block B match. Both men shook hands before the match, which drew a surprised reaction from the crowd. Takahashi distracted the ref after tossing Kojima to the floor. Hall put a beating on Kojima before Takahashi came to the outside and tossed Kojima back into the ring. Kojima ducked a charge in the corner and began nailing Takahashi with machinegun chops. He then went up top and hit a diving elbow for a 2 count. The fans began chanting for Kojima after the 2 count. They went to a big exchange that ended with Kojima decking Takahashi with a big forearm. They went back and forth and Kojima caught Takahashi with a DDT on the apron. Kojima placed Takahashi on the turnbuckles a short time later and brought him down to the mat with an ace crusher. He set up for a lariat, but Takahashi popped up and nailed him with a German that left both men down. Takahashi went on the attack and hit a big clothesline for a 2 count. Takahashi sent Kojima down with a big forearm and he sold it like he was knocked out. He then lifted Kojima and hit a buckle bomb. The fans tried to rally behind Kojima once again. He blocked a punch and nailed Takahashi with a clothesline and then a brainbuster for a near fall. Kojima then hit his signature lariat, but Hall dragged the ref to the floor. Hall ran into the ring and put a beating on Kojima. Kojima fired back and sent him to the floor with a clothesline. Takahashi ended up hitting a low blow and then Miami shine for the win.

Winner: Yujiro Takahashi (4 pts.) – The action was good while it lasted, but if Bullet Club interference continues, it’s going to wear thin quickly in this tournament.

(6) IWGP Tag Team Champion Karl Anderson (4) vs. Yuji Nagata (2) in a G1 Climax 25 Block B match. Nagata went to work on Anderson’s arm during the early stages of the match. Anderson fired back with a knee to the gut and went to work on Nagata. Anderson tried to mock Nagata and start a chant for him as he targeted his mid-section inside the ring. Nagata fired up and began trading blows with Anderson, but took a knee to the gut. Anderson flipped off Nagata and went off the ropes, but Nagata caught him with a running knee. Nagata fired up and went to work on Anderson. He eventually caught him with an exploder for a 2 count. Anderson quickly fired back and hit a neck breaker for a 2 count a short time later. They battled up top and Anderson tried to forearm him to the mat, but Nagata kept powering up and holding onto the ropes. Anderson mocked Nagata’s pose and Nagata fired up and nailed him with a top rope exploder! Nagata made the cover, but only got a 2 count. They traded blows and Anderson hit a kick to Nagata’s mid-section that dropped him. Nagata then countered a TKO attempt and locked in his signature white eyes arm bar. The fans went nuts as he wrenched back on the hold. Anderson eventually got his foot on the ropes to break the hold. Anderson caught Nagata with a spinebuster as he came off the ropes a short time later. Nagata and Anderson went back and forth with Anderson countered an exploder attempt and Nagata countered a stunner. Nagata hit a kick to the back and went for a Saito suplex, but Anderson hit the gun stun for the win.

Winner: Karl Anderson (6 pts.)

Star rating: (***1/4) – This was a good match with Anderson going after Nagata’s mid-section and doing some good heel work during the match to build to Nagata’s comeback. They had some good back and forth sequences down the stretch leading into the finish.

(7) Tomoaki Honma (0) vs. Michael Elgin (2) in a G1 Climax 25 Block B match. The fans chanted for Honma after the opening bell rang. Honma missed a running kokeshi off the ropes and Elgin hit a delayed vertical suplex and did a squat while holding Honma which caused the crowd to gasp. Elgin called for an Elgin chant and the fans began clapping. Elgin slammed Honma into the turnbuckles on opposite side of the ring before hitting a big throw that was good for a 2 count. The fans began chanting for Honma. Honma countered a lariat and hit a DDT. He went for another running kokeshi off the ropes, but Elgin managed to get out of the way once again. Honma countered a suplex from Elgin and nearly dead-lifted him into a suplex of his own and the fans gasped. Honma went for a running kokeshi for a third time and connected and the fans applauded. He then hit a diving blockbuster variation on Elgin for a 2 count. Elgin fired back and hit a code breaker variation. He eventually caught Honma with a boot as he bounced off the ropes. Elgin then hit a dead-lift Falcon arrow off the apron for a huge pop, but Honma kicked out at the last second. Elgin set up for a buckle bomb, but Honma fought out of it only to eat a spinning backfist. Elgin went for another buckle bomb, but Honma no sold it and hit a leaping kokeshi that left both men down! Holy s—t. The fans fired up and chanted for Honma. Elgin hit another kokeshi to Elgin’s back and hit a slam. The fans fired up as Honma went up top, but Elgin got out of the way of his top rope kokeshi tap at the last second. The fans seemed stunned, but they began chanting for Honma again. They had a big strike battle as the fans fired up. They continued to go back and forth until Elgin obliterated Honma with a clothesline for another near fall. Wow! Elgin finally caught Honma coming off the ropes. He hit a German, but Honma got right back up only to walk into a powerbomb, a buckle bomb, and an Elgin bomb for the win.

The fans continued to clap for Honma after the match until he was helped to the back.

Winner: Michael Elgin (4 pts.)

Star rating: (***3/4) – This was a fantastic showing by both men. They didn’t get a lot of time, but they told a really fun story with Honma showing great fire either getting right up after a big power move from Elgin or kicking out of a big move at the last second. Once again Honma lost, but the fans continue to be invested in seeing Honma get a G1 win.

(8) Tomohiro Ishii (6) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (2) in a G1 Climax B Block match. Nakamura’s elbow had a wrap on it. Nakamura did his signature rope break and nailed Ishii with a forearm. He caught him with a knee to the gut a short time later. Nakamura kept kicking Ishii, but he fired up and blocked a kick. Ishii went to Nakamura after hitting a big shoulder tackle. Ishii had the upper hand, but Nakamura began firing back with big strikes in the corner. Ishii nailed him with a headbutt to the chest, but Nakamura caught him with his signature spinning kick that left both men down on the mat. Nakamura hit the vibration boot in the corner and began dancing, but Ishii cut him off. Nakamura caught Ishii with a dropkick off the ropes a short time later for a 2 count. They went back and forth after Ishii had dominated the action for several minutes. Nakamura got the upper hand and hit his signature running knee in the corner with Ishii draped over the turnbuckles for a 2 count. Ishii fired back and hit Nakamura with a reverse powerslam and both men were down! He followed up with a big powerbomb on Nakamura, but only managed to get a 2 count. Ishii hit a big delayed vertical suplex a short time later, but Nakamura managed to kick out at 2. Nakamura fired back and hit a big axe kick that left both men down on the mat. Nakamura hit his signature reverse powerslam a short time later. He followed up with a big sliding kick to Ishii’s head, but he kicked out at 2. Nakamura set up for the Boma ye, but Ishii popped up and eventually nailed Nakamura with a huge clothesline for a near fall. Ishii went for a suplex, but Nakamura slipped out and hit a big roundhouse kick to the head followed by a Boma ye, but both men were down after he connected. Nakamura went up to the second turnbuckle and hit a jumping Boma ye, but Ishii kicked out again at the last second. Nakamura then went for another Boma ye, but Ishii blocked it. Ishii went for a clothesline a short time later, but Nakamura got a flying arm bar. Ishii escaped and Nakamura set up for another Boma Ye, but Ishii nailed him with a dropkick. Ishii nailed Nakamura with a huge headbutt, but Nakamura fired back with a falcon arrow and another Boma ye for the win. Holy smokes!

Nakamura shook hands with Ishii after the match.

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura (4 pts.)

Star rating: (***3/4) – This was fantastic. It started a bit slow, but the second half of the match was outstanding. Ishii took two Boma ye’s from Nakamura and kicked out each time down the stretch and the fans really got into the back and forth action before Nakamura finally got the win with a third Boma ye.

(9) IWGP Hvt. Champion Kazuchika Okada (6) vs. IWGP IC Champion Hirooki Goto (4) in a G1 Climax B Block match. This is a really big match with the IWGP Hvt. Champion meeting the IWGP IC Champion. The fans were hot for the start of the match. Goto got the upper hand early and worked over Okada with a headscissors submission on the mat. Okada struggled, but managed to get to the ropes. The action spilled to the floor and Goto missed a clothesline and flew over the barricade. Okada then got a running start and hit a splash over the barricade that sent both men flying into a pile of chairs. Holy s—t! Nakamura then set up Goto on the barricade and hit a hangman’s DDT a short time later. Goto managed to beat the 20 count at 18, but Okada went right on the attack and nailed him with a sliding kick to the head. Goto eventually managed to fire back and he nailed Okada with a big clothesline. Goto measured Okada and nailed him with a big kick to the chest. He then hit a spinning kick in the corner and a bulldog to cap a big sequence. They went back and forth and Goto caught Okada with a Saito suplex and both men were slow to get up. Okada fired back and caught Goto with a flap jack off the ropes. Okada measured Goto and nailed him with a running uppercut for a 2 count.

Okada hit a big slam and went up top. Goto popped up and they went back and forth off the ropes until Goto caught Okada with a huge clothesline. The fans fired up as both men regrouped. Both men traded near falls with pinning combinations. They continued to trade and Goto got a near fall, but Okada fired up and hit his signature neck breaker over his knee. Okada ducked a charge off the ropes from Goto and caught him with his signature dropkick a short time later. Okada then went up top and hit a big elbow drop. He signaled for the rainmaker, but Goto ducked it and nailed Okada with a shoulder breaker over his knee. Goto lifted Okada up and hit a big spinning slam on Okada that sent him shoulder first into the mat for a 2 count. He went for shouten kai, but Okada blocked it. They battled up top a short time later and Goto tried to get Okada onto his shoulders. Okada fought out and grabbed Goto off the turnbuckles and hit a German. Okada held on and went for a rainmaker, but Goto countered it into a shoulder tackle and Okada went down. The fans fired up big time with Okada down on the mat. Goto went for the shouten kai, but Okada slipped out and went for a rainmaker. They went back and forth and Goto caught Okada with a pair of huge headbutts. He then lifted Okada up and hit shouten kai for the win. Holy s—t!

Goto cut a promo after the match that the fans were enthusiastic for to end the show.

Winner: Hirooki Goto (6 pts.)

Star rating: (****1/2) – This was an excellent match and what a year for Goto so far with two wins over Nakamura in singles action and now a G1 win over Okada that virtually guarantees him a match against Okada for the IWGP Hvt. Championship in the fall. The action was amazing down the stretch and Goto’s counters of the rainmaker were fantastic while targeting Okada’s shoulder and then just nailing him with headbutts after before eventually hitting his finish.

Quick G1 Climax 25: Night 8 Viewing Guide

What to watch: Honma-Elgin, Ishii-Nakamura, Anderson-Nagata, Goto-Okada

What you can skip: Takahashi-Kojima

Best G1 match on the card: Goto-Okada (****1/2)

Overall thoughts: This was a very strong night in the ring. The last four matches were all good to very good with the main event being outstanding.

Honma-Elgin was a borderline four-star match that didn’t get a ton of time, but what they did with the time they had was excellent. It’s amazing to see the fans get back behind Honma even though he still hasn’t won a G1 match dating back to last year. Honma’s fiery comebacks against Elgin were fantastic. Elgin deserves credit here as well. The fans have really gotten behind him during this tournament so far and it’s a lot of fun to see them pop for his power offense. He has fit in really well into the NJPW style thus far.

Ishii-Nakamura got off to a slow start with Nakamura making his return after suffering an elbow injury and missing some time. After forfeiting two points to Elgin, I figured Nakamura would win this match and he did. The match got going during the second half and they had some great exchanges. I loved Nakamura busting out the flying arm bar during a big exchange with Ishii before eventually finishing him off with a third Boma ye off the turnbuckles.

The main event was excellent. Goto has really stepped up and this win over Okada should cement him as a big deal going forward in the tournament and beyond as a challenger to Okada’s IWGP Hvt. Championship in the fall. Goto picked apart Okada late going after his shoulder. His counter of the rainmaker with a short-arm shoulder tackle was fantastic. The finish was great as well with Goto blocking another rainmaker and hitting a pair of headbutts before hitting shouten kai to win. Overall, this was a really good night of block action with a killer main event.

CURRENT G1 CLIMAX 25 STANDINGS

A Block


- Shibata (6 pts.)
- 2013 winner Naito (6 pts.)
- Bad Luck Fale (6 pts.)
- Tanahashi (4 pts.)
- A.J. Styles (4 pts.)
- Kota Ibushi (4 pts.)
- NEVER champion Togi Makabe (4 pts.)
- NWA World champion Tenzan (2 pts.)
- Toru Yano (2 pts.)
- IWGP tag champion Doc Gallows (2 pts.)

B Block

- 2014 winner IWGP World Champ Okada (6 pts.)
- IWGP IC Champ Hirooki Goto (4 pts.)
- Tomohiro Ishii (6 pts.)
- Yujiro Takahashi (4 pts.)
- Shinsuke Nakamura (4 pts.)
- IWGP tag champion Karl Anderson (4 pts.)
- ROH's Michael Elgin (4 pts.)
- Satoshi Kojima (2 pts.)
- Yuji Nagata (2 pts.)
- Honma

***

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